Is Warm Steam Safe for Asthmatics?

Is Warm Steam Safe for Asthmatics?

Is Warm Steam Safe for Asthmatics?
Is Warm Steam Safe for Asthmatics?

By: Arlene Gentallan

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that produces swelling and constriction of airway causing difficulty of breathing, usually accompanied by production of thick respiratory secretions and coughing. Severity varies among people.

In between asthma attacks, there is a period of remission. Individuals afflicted with asthma understand the anxiety and fear of having an asthma attack because aside from the breathing difficulty and other symptoms it brings, if left untreated, an asthma attack is life-threatening.



Warm steam for Asthma

Inhaling warm steam when you are having an asthma attack does a number of advantages to open up the constricted airway:
  • Warm steam eases difficulty of breathing in asthma by reducing inflammation of the airway.
  • The humidity of steam moistens the airway to help loosen sticky secretions, making it easier to expel by coughing.
  • Alleviates clogged nose
  • Lessens the pain of headache
  • The warmth dilates blood vessels thereby promoting good blood circulation and oxygenation.

More people are turning to natural alternative remedies to relieve symptoms of asthma, usually in conjunction with prescription medicine.

I'll emphasize that while hot steam soothes the symptoms of asthma, it does not cure this disease. You may still have to take a bronchodilator medication or use your inhaler.



How to use warm steam to relieve asthma symptoms

Here are the common ways to use warm steam:
  • Sniff the steam coming up from a hot beverage like tea or coffee.
  • Take a hot steam bath.
  • Place hot water on a bowl then place your head over it. Not too near, but just enough distance where you can sniff it's warm steam.


Caution should also be exercised to prevent burns and asthma exacerbation.
  • As with other natural home made remedies for asthma, observe how your body reacts to it. There are individuals whose asthma attack is triggered by warm steam.
  • Do not inhale steam directly from a boiling water.


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